Seduced By The Bachelor

“You can say that again.”

“That was hot!”

They laughed, then shared another kiss.

“We better get back to the VIP room before your family comes looking for us.”

“They won’t. Did you see all the dirty dancing that was going on? I’ll be surprised if they even noticed we were gone.” Markos reached out, drawing his fingertips over her cheeks. “Spend the night with me.”

Tatiyana blinked, couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing. By all accounts Markos was a player, a man with a bevy of beautiful women at his beck and call, so the loving expression on his face, and his gentle tone threw her for a loop. Tongue-tied, her head spinning, she searched her mind for the right words to say. “I don’t do sleepovers.”

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to confuse what this was. It was a quickie. Nothing more.”

Sadness flickered in his eyes, but he spoke with bravado, as if he couldn’t care less. “Cool,” he said, coughing into his fist. “No worries. I just thought I’d ask. No big deal.”

But it was. His jovial mood disappeared, and Tatiyana felt like the biggest jerk on the planet. She’d hurt his feelings, and if she didn’t do something to make amends, he’d probably never speak to her again, and she had big plans for them tomorrow night.

Way to go! You pissed him off. Good one!

“We should head back to the party. It’s late, and I’m ready to return to the resort.”

His anger was evident in his narrowed gaze and stiff posture. Standing, Markos discarded the condom, and washed his hands in the sink.

To get back in his good graces, Tatiyana said, “That was amazing. You’re amazing. I hope we hook up again before you return to LA, because that was the best sex I’ve ever had, and I want more.”

“You do?”

“Absolutely. I’m going to have fun getting to know you better.”

Playing it cool, she adjusted her dress and fixed her ponytail. Tatiyana stood, but her legs were wobbly, making it impossible to walk. Scared her knees would give way, she braced her hands against the wall and waited for her limbs to quit shaking.

“Don’t worry, baby, I got you.”

Markos slid his hands around her waist, holding her tight. Gazing at him, she realized he was more than just a handsome face. He was a thoughtful, generous man, and it was obvious she’d misjudged him. He wasn’t the monster her mother had made him out to be—he cared about others, and it was evident in everything he said and did. Still, she couldn’t lose sight of her goals, of why she’d come to Tampa. It wasn’t to make a love connection with Markos, it was to help her kid sister. Her family was depending on her, and she wouldn’t let them down.

Chapter 6 (#ulink_c40183a7-1cd5-5882-8933-bb6dd2cc64cd)

On Saturday morning, Markos sat at the oak desk inside his executive suite willing his eyes to focus and his brain to work. At breakfast, he’d had three cups of strong, black coffee, but the drinks didn’t give him the energy boost he needed.

Markos yawned. He couldn’t go five minutes without nodding off, and felt tired and out of sorts. Three hours of sleep wasn’t enough. If his cell phone alarm hadn’t gone off at 9:00 a.m., he’d probably still be in bed dreaming about Tatiyana—his titillating one-night stand with the wicked sense of humor and delicious curves.

At the thought of her, a grin curled his lips. After their tryst, they’d returned to the VIP room and spent the rest of the night partying with his family. They liked her, and Markos did, too. They’d returned to the resort in the wee hours of the morning, high on life and each other. Against his better judgment, he’d invited Tatiyana to his room again for a nightcap. She’d declined, given him a peck on the lips, then disappeared inside her suite. He didn’t like it, wanted to spend the night with her, but had respected her decision. They were playing in the golf tournament that afternoon, but Markos wanted to see her now. She’d blown his mind last night, put it on him so bad he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Markos turned on his laptop and flipped open his monthly planner. If he didn’t finish his to-do list, he’d be swamped when he returned to LA, and he didn’t want to have to work late on Monday night; he wanted to attend Matteo’s soccer game. He loved his nephew and was looking forward to watching him play at Lincoln Park.

Waiting for his documents to load, he stretched his neck from side to side, flexing and cracking his muscles. Enough sitting around. He had motions to write, and he didn’t want to disappoint his clients—or himself. It was a challenge, but he put all thoughts of Tatiyana out of his mind and got down to work.

Two hours later, after several more cups of coffee, Markos had answered his emails, finished drafting a divorce settlement and had a brief video conference with Kassem. Having met while studying in college, Markos had known Kassem Glover for over a decade, and was proud of what his friend had accomplished. Kassem had offered to campaign on his behalf during the next election, and Markos appreciated his support. In his ten years of practicing law, he’d been called everything from a liar to a snake in an Armani suit, but he let the insults roll off his back. His clients appreciated his hard work and dedication, had promised to support his political endeavors and that was all that mattered.

Needing a break, Markos picked up his cell phone and reclined in his leather chair, crossing his legs at the ankles. He had ten new text messages from the surgeon. What did she want now? Caroline Walsh was the type of woman his father would like him to marry—educated, successful, born into a wealthy family—but she was an opportunist who was more interested in attending movie premiers than getting to know him as a person. They saw each other a couple times a month, and that suited Markos just fine. Caroline talked endlessly about her patients, droned on and on about the latest fashion trends, and the last time they’d had dinner he’d left the restaurant with a splitting headache.

As Markos scrolled through his text messages his iPhone rang, and he put it to his ear. “Morning,” he greeted, turning off his computer. “How are you?”

“Terrible. I miss you. When will you be back in LA?”

Convinced he’d misheard her, he stared down at his cell. “You miss me?”

“Baby, of course I do. It feels like you’ve been gone forever.”

“It’s been two days.”

“I wish you were here,” she replied. “I hate when we’re apart. It’s torture.”

“You never missed me when you traveled to South America in March with your girlfriends,” he pointed out. “You were gone for a month, but you never called. Not even once.”

“We weren’t a couple then.”

Markos choked on his tongue. “We’re a couple now?”

“Yes, silly!” She giggled as if he’d made a funny joke, but sobered quickly. “I’m just calling to remind you to get tickets for the Governor’s Masquerade Ball in October. They’re selling like hotcakes, and I don’t want us to miss the biggest social event of the year.”

“I already have tickets. The governor gave them to me the last time we played golf.”

“Perfect! Now, all I need is a dress and I’m good to go.”

Why? He took a swig of his lukewarm coffee. You’re not my date.

“I have my eye on a lace Valentino gown, but I can’t find it anywhere,” she complained. “I think a trip to New York is in order. Three or four days should suffice.”

“Have fun.”

“What do you mean, ‘have fun’? We’re going together.”

“No, we’re not. I have to work, and furthermore we’re not a couple. We’re just friends.”

“But I want to go to the Governor’s Masquerade Ball with you!” she protested, shouting her words.

Of course you do. You’re addicted to the limelight and you’ll do anything to rub shoulders with my A-list friends and clients. “I have to go. We’ll talk soon.”

“Markos, wait, I love you!”

He laughed out loud, couldn’t believe Caroline thought she could fool him. “You don’t love me. You love my wealth and status—”

Caroline gave a shaky laugh. “That’s ridiculous. I adore you. You know that.”

“Okay, humor me,” he said, deciding to put her to the test. “What’s my favorite drink?”